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Publication
Cloud water interception in the high altitude tree heath forest (Erica arborea L.) of Paul da Serra Massif (Madeira, Portugal)
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Cloud water interception (CWI) occurs when cloud droplets are blown against the forest canopy, where they are retained on
the vegetation surface, forming larger water droplets that drip into the forest floor. CWI was measured from 1 October 1997
to 30 September 1999, on a first-line tree heath (Erica arborea), at Bica da Cana, Madeira Island. Rainfall was corrected
for wind-loss effect and compared with throughfall and other climatological normals. The CWI depletion rate along a forest
stand transect was also analysed during three distinct fog events in 2008. Cloud water was 28 mm day 1, corresponding to
68% of total throughfall and 190% of the gross precipitation. Cloud water correlates directly with monthly normals of fog
days and wind speed and correlates inversely with the monthly air temperature normal. CWI has an exponential correlation
with monthly relative humidity normal. Cloud water capture depletion along the stand shows a logarithmic decrease. Although
a forest stand does not directly relate to a first-line tree heath, this study shows that CWI is a frequent phenomenon in the
Paul da Serra massif. Restoration and protection of high altitude ecosystems in Madeira should be a priority, not only for
biodiversity, ecological and economical purposes but also for its role in regional water resources.
Description
Keywords
Cloud water interception Throughfall Water resources Erica arborea Madeira Island (Portugal) Depletion rate . Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia Faculdade de Ciências da Vida
Citation
Prada, S., Sequeira, M. M., Figueira, C., & Vasconcelos, R. (2012). Cloud water interception in the high altitude tree heath forest (Erica arborea L.) of Paul da Serra Massif (Madeira, Portugal). Hydrological Processes, 26(2), 202-212.https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.8126
Publisher
Wiley